Top summer sport 2013

Ashes cricket, Lions rugby and more top sporting action to watch on TV

By
Holly Sands
18 June 2013

Don’t lament the end of the football – Mark Griffiths takes a look at the sporting action dominating television this season and discovers it’s the perfect opportunity to get into watching something new.

With Manchester United crowned champions of the English Premier League, sport-loving men and women across the emirates may now find themselves at a loose end. But don’t put down the television remote just yet – consider it a chance to get into a whole new sport.

Cricket

It’s always hotly contested. The Ashes sees England vs Australia in a test series that has been played since 1882 – one of the most celebrated rivalries in international sport. It’s played biennially, alternately in each country. With England the current holders of the trophy, the players head to the UK to fight it out. Where to watchHead to the Crown & Lion pub. It shows a variety of sports, and you’ll find yourself in the company of cricket fans.Byblos TECOM (04 448 0000). First test screened from Wed July 10 to Sun 14 on OSN Sport 1 HD daily from 2pm. The second test follows from Thu July 18 to Mon 22.

Darts

The inaugural Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters last month saw Michael Van Gerwen triumph in with a thrilling 11-7 win over Raymond van Barneveld in an all-Dutch final. The tournament has unearthed a new generation of fans in the UAE which in turn has encouraged OSN to screen darts from around the world.Where to watchThough it doesn’t exclusively show darts, The Darts Pub will screen whatever punters ask for.Fortune Plaza Hotel, Al Qusais (04 263 5500). World Matchplay 2013 runs from Sat July 20 to Sun 28, screened daily at 10pm on OSN Sports 1 and 2 HD and OSN Sports 3.

Golf

With a golf course for every shopping mall on our doorstep it’s no surprise a fair number of keen golfers live and work in the UAE. So it’s also no surprise OSN snapped up the television rights for this year’s Irish Open. The competition makes up part of the PGA European Tour and this year takes us to County Kildare’s Carton House. It’s been four years since the Irish Open was won by a native competitor in Shane Lowry. Four years too many for youngster Rory McIlroy – who at just 24 has 10 pro wins under his belt. Where to watch Head over to Qube Sports Bar at the Meydan Hotel, which broadcasts a variety of sports on four large projector screen.Meydan Hotel, Nad Al Sheba (04 381 3780). OSN Sport 1 HD from 5pm on Thu June 27 and Fri 28, from 4pm Sat 29 and 4.30pm on Sun 30.

Lions Tour 2013

The historic Lions Tour tracks the Brit and Irish players to Australia for the 125th year anniversary event. Things kicked off earlier this month on Saturday June 1, but the weeks ahead bring the real excitement and most anticipated clashes. Melbourne Rebels, ACT Brumbies, Waratahs and Queensland Reds are just a few of the teams on the line-up to take on the Lions, before three test matches against the National side on Saturday June 22, June 29 and July 6. A commentating team fronted by Jim Rosenthal and Lions living-legends Jeremy Guscott and Scott Gibbs have been flown to the Dubai studios for warm-up matches as well as pitch-side in Australia for three big games. Where to watchSports bar Girders on The Walk will be screening all British & Irish Lions matches.Ocean View Hotel, JBR (04 814 5590). OSN Sport 1 HD from Wed June 5 to Sat July 6.

WWE Raw

WWE’s Raw is the highest-rated flagship show, where legendary matches go down and history is made. The Raw Supershow features the biggest superstars including John Cena, CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio, the smart, sexy and powerful Divas of the series and the cast from SmackDown. Abu Dhabi Sports claim this is one of the most-watched shows across the UAE when it comes to American sporting action. Where to watchWith more than 50 screens scattered around the bar, Time Café shows pretty much every sport you can imagine, including WWE.Ramee Royal Hotel, Karama (04 334 4088). Raw is aired on Tuesdays at 5am, 3.30pm and 9pm on Abu Dhabi Sports 6.